News Corp. mulling buy of Texas Rangers: report

DavidB. Wilkerson

CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- News Corp. is considering an acquisition of the Texas Rangers baseball franchise, according to a published report, in a move that would allow it to reap rewards from the team's resurgence in the standings.

The company is "learning toward" entering a bid at the Rangers' bankruptcy auction Wednesday, the New York Post reported in its Monday editions, citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation. (The Post is also a News Corp. publication.)

A News Corp. spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a MarketWatch request for comment.

The media conglomerate's broadcast holdings include a number of regional Fox Sports channels, including Fox Sports Southwest, which holds the television rights to Rangers games.

News Corp. owned the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1998 to 2004.

After many years of mediocrity in an American League West dominated by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Rangers have climbed into first place this season. The team finally has solid pitching to go along with its traditionally potent offense.

As of Monday morning, Texas was 61-44, eight games in front of second-place Los Angeles.

Other prospective bidders for the franchise include billionaire Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, who was unsuccessful in a recent proposed buy of the Chicago Cubs, and a consortium led by Rangers team president Nolan Ryan, a Hall of Fame pitcher.

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